On the one hand, we only have (5) returning senior lettermen for defense. On the other, we have (8) returning Junior Lettermen plus ... (5), count'em, junior college transfers. And … (8) sophomore each with the most letters they can have … uno. I'm not even going to talk about the freshmen right now.

Supposedly … defense is going to be our problem this year … again. I'm not sure I'd write these young men off so fast. Here are three reasons why the Hog Defense may be better than most people seem to think.

First … the thing that strikes you as you watch the defense is the amount of time they are spending doing seemingly useless drills. And then … as you watch and hear the coaches talking … OK … yelling… at the players you realize that there is a whole lot of teaching going on and a tremendous attention to detail and technique.

Robinson has been a successful coach before. There is absolutely no reason why he cannot be successful here. And … if he can get these boys to learn a few things and MATCH it with desire, we should be, at a minimum, able to perform solidly.

Maybe we don't have the SEC star players. But … then again … maybe under Robinson's tutelage we've got some guys that might surprise you. Sheppard ought to know what he's doing and be good. Adrian Davis should do just fine at end.

Our linebackers have experience. Wendel Davis is a 3 year senior letterman. Freddy Burton, a 2L Junior at 6'2” and 231 pounds is a force to be contended with. He's always near the ball.

And … where did we hurt the most last year? Our secondary. Where did we get the most help from recruiting? Our secondary. We have at least 2 JC transfers that will be playing a lot of DB in Leon and Crimm. Don't forget that Ford is back at safety. Also … don't forget next Sunday's baddest CB candidate # 24, Isaac Madison, 2L, junior. Just ask this past Sunday's winner of the baddest WR #85 whether Isaac is man enough to play corner. It took 5 or 6 guys to separate them today on the field.

So … my second reason we'll be better than folks think is simply that our team is better than most people think. Speaking as a lifelong Razorback … I'm good with being the underdog. I've had a lot of practice and have been rewarded many times for that faith over the years.

The third reason is cheating kind of. The third reason the Hogs may be better than most people think is because our Offense is so good. Folks … this may sound stupid but … the team that beats the Razorbacks is the team that puts more points on the board. By that I mean … I believe … that the days of low scoring games is over. Houston Nutt and Frank Broyles are gone.

Who knows … we might even just slip up on Georgia and bop'em on the head before they know what hit'em.